Project xCloud: All the latest news, games and updates for Microsoft’s streaming service

Lots of new details for Microsoft’s Project xCloud cloud-streaming service have arrived in recent weeks, as it looks set to take on both Google Stadia and Nvidia GeForce Now.

We already know that Project xCloud will act as a companion to the Xbox Series X, allowing subscribers to stream games from their Xbox library to an Android smartphone or tablet, with computers running Windows 10 expected to get support soon too.

Microsoft has also confirmed xCloud will be offered to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers this September “at no additional cost”, which seemingly represents fantastic value.

With September approaching, Microsoft seems to be gearing up for launch, with a WinFuture report suggesting the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G will be the very first smartphone optimised “for gaming use via online streaming via Project xCloud.” The report also suggests there will be 90 Xbox games made available for smartphones initially.

Project xCloud is now available across a range of different devices, with myriad new games having been introduced since the initial trial. If you’re interested and want to take the new technology for a spin, you can sign up for the trial right now and try your luck.

Things are changing all the time, but we’ve compiled everything you need to know about Project xCloud including all the latest news, release date, games, specs and more.

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What is Project xCloud?

Project xCloud is Microsoft’s solution to cloud streaming, allowing subscribers to play a range of Xbox games on portable devices such as Android smartphones and tablets.

Because all of the servers are doing the hard work, it doesn’t matter how powerful your device is to run games at a high performance. The only factor determining the quality of the game’s performance is your internet connection, which potentially makes this one of the most cost-effective options for AAA gaming. 

Kareem Choudhry, corporate vice president of cloud gaming at Microsoft, said, “We’re developing Project xCloud not as a replacement for game consoles, but as a way to provide the same choice and versatility that lovers of music and video enjoy today. We’re adding more ways to play Xbox games. We love what’s possible when a console is connected to a 4K TV with full HDR support and surround sound – that remains a fantastic way to experience console gaming.  We also believe in empowering gamers to decide when and how to play.”

In essence, it will hope to include your gaming library, friends list, achievements and everything that defines your Xbox Live identity. Microsoft has made it abundantly clear it’s keen to grow its ecosystem, whether through multi-platform play or its Game Pass subscription service. xCloud is yet another layer to this. 

Where can I use Project xCloud?

Project xCloud can be accessed by signing up to the ongoing trial and downloading the Xbox Game Streaming (Preview) App from the Google Play Store. Your device will need to be running Android 6.0 or higher, which is rather common amongst most handsets these days.

After that, simply connect a wireless controller via Bluetooth and you’re good to go. Microsoft has confirmed it will be coming to Windows and other similar devices later in 2020, although a specific release date hasn’t been announced.

Project xCloud price – how much does it cost?

Pricing details for Project xCloud are yet to be confirmed, and we’ll likely hear more concrete specifics once the general release window has been pinned down.

We do at least know that Project xCloud will be available at not extra cost to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, but it’s unclear how much it will cost (or whether it’s even available) independently.

Related: Best Xbox One Games

 

Project xCloud release date – when will it be available?

Project xCloud will officially launch in September 2020, although Microsoft is currently holding a trial period for the streaming service with a selection of games. 

You can register for the trial here. It allows selected players to test out a variety of games on phones and tablets. Over 50 games are now available on the Project xCloud service, so players will have a bunch to get stuck into.

This trial is limited to Android devices, and you’ll also require Bluetooth 4.0 and a wireless controller to enjoy the games. Microsoft has said it will be bringing Project xCloud to PC later this year, although a specific date remains unconfirmed. 

Project xCloud specs – how powerful will it be?

Microsoft hasn’t released a list of specifications for Project xCloud, although we do have a rough idea of the architecture ticking away underneath its virtual hood.

It will run through Microsoft’s Azure computing centres, 140 of which are situated around the world and will ensure players can run games through xCloud with minimal latency and decent image quality. The proof is obviously in the pudding, but this is reassuring to hear.

Project xCloud games – what can I play on it?

We’ve compiled all of the games currently available in the Project xCloud preview programme below:

• Absolver
• A Plague Tale: Innocence
• Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
• Ark: Survival Evolved
• Battle Chaser: Nightwar
• Black Desert Online
• Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
• Borderlands: The Handsome Collection
• Brothers: Tales of Two Sons
• Children of Morta
• Crackdown 3
• Darksiders 3
• DayZ
• Dead by Daylight
• Dead Island: Definitive Edition
• Devil May Cry 5
• Dirt Rally 2.9
• F1 2019
• Felix The Reaper
• Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour
• For The King
• Forza Horizon 4
• Gears 5
• Halo 5: Guardians
• Halo Wars 2
• Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
• Hello Neighbour
• Hitman: Game of the Year Edition
• Just Cause 4
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance
• Madden NFL 20
• Mark of the Ninja: Remastered
• MotoGP 19
• Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
• Ori and the Blind Forest
• Overcooked
• Oxenfree
• PuyoPuyo Champions
• RAD
• Recore: Definitive Edition
• Sea of Thieves: Anniversary Edition
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider
• Sniper Elite 4
• SoulCalibur 6
• State of Decay 2
• Subnautica
• Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
• Tekken 7
• Tera
• The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut
• The Hunter: Call of the Wild
• Tracks: The Train Set Game
• Vampyr
• War Thunder
• Warhammer: Vermintide 2
• West of Dead
• World of Final Fantasy: Maxima
• World of Tanks
• World of Warships
• World War Z
• WRC 7
• WWE 2K20
• Yoku’s Island Express